Can you hear me now?

This past Sunday was a welcomed reunion of sound and song as we moved indoors to sing for the first time together in 69 weeks. Now I know many are still worshiping from home, and that we have been singing outdoors for quite some time, but positioning ourselves between the drywall and wooden boundaries of our worship center, revealed, with a reverbance, what we had been missing these longs weeks: THE SOUND OF EACH OTHER. At home there are no other voices, outdoors sound dissipates at an incredibly rapid pace. But in a room with walls and a ceiling something heavenly happens, the church hears herself sing! And the church NEEDS to hear herself sing.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.” Paul says in Col. 3:16. To exhort is to strongly encourage someone. Do you or have you felt discouraged lately? There are, of course, a plethora of reasons why in this time, but one often overlooked is because the church has not been able to encourage you through song. It is our God given duty and honor to exhort our brothers and sisters in faith through the songs we sing! When college students adrift in the overwhelming tide of life’s decisions hear established Christians singing refrains of faith and hope it shepherds and forms them. When the saints of many seasons hear the silvery voice of youth sing with abandon it rekindles joy and conviction. When we, with one mind, one emotion, and in one spirit sing the very qualities of God we build deep roots of gospel power into ourselves. But we need to sing and be heard singing.

Singing in church is not a happy coincidence stumbled upon through the ability to talk. Nor is it a skill to be judged and examined (we all make joyful noises!). It also is not contingent on one’s preference for song or music. It is something that God has given as a blessing, a balm, and a building block of faith. So come and sing to the Lord. Come back to church. Sing to be encouraged and to encourage. Sing so we all can hear!

Blessings

Derek North

Worship Pastor